Electric signaling device.



D. M. BLISS. ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAE.18,1907.

Patented Jan. 31, 1911.

2 8HBETSBHBET l.

H a 77 i 'Illlllllll D. M. BLISS.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18,1907.

Patented Jan 31,1911.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DONALD M. BLISS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is

. a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

The present invention relates to a current converter, and is especially adapted for signaling purposes on telegraph and telephone lines, where signals of the so-called harmonic type are used, 2'. 6., signals on the same line capable of being individually selected and operated by arranging each signal to respond to an alternating current having a prede tcrmined wave frequency The converter embo ying the invention consists of a traveling switch or commutator,

the segments of which are connected to gether through resistance coils, and divided into sets, so that in the rotation of the commutator the current delivered is reversed in direction and varied in strength. For selective signaling purposes, a series of commutators are used, each having resistances difien ently arranged, so that each commutator, on receiving direct current, will deliver an alternating current having a wave form differing from that of the others. By this construction a very small amount of power is required to operate the signaling device, since the current is not generated thereby,

while any efliciency desired may be obtained by using a source of direct right strength. v

A further feature of the invention is embodied in the combination with the converter of a transformer to deliver current to'the signaling circuit, so that any desired voltage may be obtained in the said signaling or secondary circuit.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a signaling device embodying the invention; and Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the several commutators utilized for delivering the different alternating currents.

The'current converter is herein illustrated as embodied in a signaling device for transmitting selective signals, and consists of a series of commutators a, [2,0, and d mounted on a shaft 0 which is common to all, the said shaft being arranged to be rotated continuously at any desired'spee'd, as by an electrocurrent of the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 18, 1907. Serial No. 362.808.

Patented Jan. 31, 1911.

motor 0 The segments of each commutator are karranged to receive direct current through collecting rings f and f a single pair of rings being sufiicient to supply all the commutators with current. These rings receive direct currents through brushes 7 and i from a suitable source of direct current, herein indicated as a battery B.

In the diagram, Fig. 2, which illustrates the commutator a, the arrangement is such as to give a simple, alternating current having two waves to a revolution, the same as a current delivered from a bi-polar alternating current generator. For this purpose, the segments are divided into two sets 9 and separated from each other by dead or disconnected segments 9", the adjacent segments of each set being connected together through resistances and 1 respectively. One of the segments of set g is connected by means of a conductor 2 with the ring f, while one of the segments of set 9 is connected by means of a conductor 3 with the ring f-. In

the rotation of the commutator, therefore, as,

the segments travel past the brushes it and IF, the resistance in the circuit from the brush it and brush if will decrease as the conductor :2 ap )roaches the brush 7:, and then increase until the opposite dead segment reaches the said brush. The current, therefore, rises and falls during half a revolution, and then reverses, correspondingly rising and falling during the other half. A current of definite wave form is, therefore, sent out over the circuit closed by the conductor 3, which circuit is shown as containing the primary coil of a transformer z, the other 0011 of which is in the signaling circuit containing, for example, the bell 70. Assuming, therefore, that the signaling circuit has a plurality of signals each ada ted to respond to an alternating current liaving waves of different frequencies, only one of the said signals will respond to the exclusion of the others. The use of the transformer not only insulates the signaling circuit, but also admits of obtaining any voltage desired for s1 naling purposes, without varying the main source of current.

The signals are controlled by circuit closers a in the primary circuits, so that no current is expended except whena signal is being sent.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are diagrams of the w1ndings, respectively, of'the commutators b, c and d, which, in the construction shown,

are arranged to send out alternating currents corresponding respectively to currents from 4, (5 and 8 pole alternating current generators; that is, alternating currents of wave form, but differing in frequency. The

resistance coils contained in casings a 6-,

etc., mounted on the shaft adjacent to the commutators.

The current is supplied to all the commutators through the two collector rings f and f and the brushes f and f, as well as the several sets of brushes h and 11, for the commutators, or mounted on brackets supported on an arm or rod m within the easingM which contains the entire apparatus, with the exception of the motor.

By inelosing the resistance coils in the casings a 6 etc, connected directly with the commutators, each converter becomes a separate unit, which may be readily detached from the shaft 0 and replaced by another.

The shaft 0 is supported in bearings 0 in the end members of the frame or casing, which end members also afford the support for the rod in upon which the several brushes are mounted. The said shaft also has a coupling 0 whereby the motor a may be directly connected therewith, thus making a very compact construction, and, at the same time, one in which the converting units are readily interchangeable for adaptation to di tt'erent signaling systems.

Claim.

In a current converter for signaling purposes, a plurality of commutators each having separate sets of adjacent segments, the sets of segments being separated, and adjacent segments of each set being insulated from each other, but connected through resistance coils; a casing connected with each commutator to contain the resistance element, each commutator and its resistance thus constituting a complete unit; a driving shaft common to all of said commutators; collector rings connected with the positive and negative poles of a source of current, said collector rings being common to all the commutators; conductors leading from said rings to the middle segments of adjacent sets on each commutator; brushes to transmit current from the several commutators; and a transformer in each external circuit supplied from said commutators.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the, presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DONALD M. BLISS.

Witnesses i J. J. ltlsa'annooii,

FRANK S. GANNON, Jr. 

